Bryant's Attorneys Claim Court Order Violated

Kobe Bryant 200x120

Kobe Bryant's defense team is accusing prosecutors of violating a court order to choose a laboratory that will allow a defense expert to watch DNA testing in the NBA star's sexual assault case.

In a court filing made public Thursday, defense attorney Hal Haddon says the judge had ordered prosecutors to allow his DNA expert, Elizabeth Johnson, to observe tests that must completed by June 18th. But Haddon says he received a letter from prosecutors Tuesday saying the lab they had chosen would not permit Johnson to watch. He asked state District Judge Terry Ruckriegle to order prosecutors to explain their choice of laboratory.

Prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan denied any court order was violated. She says she did not know whether the sides would have to go to Ruckriegle for a solution or whether they could negotiate an agreement outside court. She did not know whether negotiations were under way.

Bryant has pleaded not guilty to felony sexual assault and said he had consensual sex with a 19-year-old woman last summer at the Vail-area resort where she worked. If convicted, the Los Angeles Lakers star faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation and a fine up to $750,000.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.